High Point, NC - High Point University rang in the holiday season by hosting approximately 1,500 community members today for the 52nd Annual Christmas Breakfast. The annual tradition brought Christmas music and inspirational messages to the large audience that filled the Nido and Mariana Qubein Conference Center.

HPU President Nido R. Qubein welcomed the audience and thousands of viewers watching on livestream.

“I hope that your home and your family and your heart will all be in sync at this special time of the year,” Qubein said. “This is a God, family, country school, and as you know, we’re very unapologetic about that. We claim it from the mountaintop. God expects us to be great ambassadors for his kingdom on this earth.”

An inspiring message was delivered by Rev. Dr. Tom Tewell, preacher in residence at the San Marino Community Church in Los Angeles, founder of Macedonian Ministry and “a pastor to pastors” for more than four decades. Tewell shared several experiences about God showing up in difficult circumstances, including when he was pastor at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, and 100 people found refuge in the church following the terrorist attacks.

One man in particular had been running late for work that day in the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers and saw the attack occur as soon as he stepped out of a cab. That skeptical man later walked past the church and found comfort at a prayer service being offered there. He read the Bible and became a believer, Tewell said.

“God showed up in the world in human flesh to show us that God loves us,” Tewell said. “The word became flesh and dwelled among us. That is what Christmas is all about. I wonder where God will show up through you today?”

LaDonna Gatlin, an accomplished, professional singer whose brothers are the Grammy Award-winning Gatlin Brothers, sang “Go Tell it on the Mountain” and led the audience in song.

“I do believe that High Point University has redefined the word ‘extraordinary,’ and it’s wonderful to be here and be able to experience this with you this morning,” Gatlin said.

Dr. Marc Foster, chair of HPU’s Music Department and professor of music, led the audience in singing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” and “Joy to the World.”

Many community members and leaders attended today’s event.

“As a man of faith, I have often believed that it is our highest calling and greatest capacity when we walk hand-in-hand with God and let Him lead us,” said High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson. “I’m so grateful that this university embodies values of God, family, country because it ensures that God will always lead the university, thereby leading this city as God will choose to guide us. The Prayer Breakfast is a great example of that work–everyone coming together for an inspiring message to celebrate this beautiful season, a very powerful occasion. We know what it is to be blessed, and we’re very grateful and humbled to be as fortunate as we are. We want to mix that with how we celebrate the occasion and continue to love one another.”

HPU’s Christmas Prayer Breakfast is supported by the Haggai Prayer Breakfast Fund; River Landing at Sandy Ridge; Digger Enterprises; Johnson’s Modern Electric Company; Smith & Jennings, Inc.; and Fence Builders, Incorporated.